At Buckeye Valley Family YMCA, we believe in creating a community that supports and cares for children of all ages. Our varied child care services cater to infants through high schoolers, meeting the diverse needs of families. Our commitment to providing quality care and nurturing environments has made us a trusted name by parents throughout Licking and Muskingum counties.
Our all-day care program for children aged 6 weeks to 3 years provides a nurturing and educational environment for early childhood development, while our preschool program, for 3-5 year-olds, focuses on preparing children for kindergarten through age-appropriate educational activities. These programs ensure quality care and learning experiences, promoting social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth, while providing parents with peace of mind knowing their children are in a safe, engaging setting that aligns with their work schedules. Our programs are offered at convenient locations: the Christine Warner Child Care Center in Newark and the West Licking YMCA Child Care Center in Pataskala offer all day care and preschool. We also offer YMCA preschool at Licking Heights.
For parents of school-aged children, we provide before and after school care through partnerships with local districts, including Newark, Heath, Licking Heights, Northridge, and Zanesville City schools. This program accommodates parents' work schedules by offering safe and structured activities before and after school, as well as on snow days and during school breaks such as Spring Break and Christmas vacation so parents won’t have to worry about child care arrangements during out-of-school hours.
Summer can be a challenging time for parents seeking safe and enriching activities for their children. Our Traditional Summer Day Camp, offered at our Licking County branch, Muskingum County branch, and Licking Heights South, engages children in grades 1-5 with activities such as arts and crafts, games, and field trips from early June to mid-August. New this year, we’re excited to offer three weeks of summer day camp at Northridge Elementary School! We also offer specialty camps and clinics at our Licking County branch and Licking Heights locations, that focus on interests like sports, science, and fitness, with some clinics available to youth up to 8th grade.
We also believe in empowering teens and helping them develop important skills to become future leaders. That's why we offer a Leaders-In-Training summer camp for ages 13-15. This program allows teens to experience the joys of summer camp while also developing leadership skills, self-confidence, and self-esteem while learning the importance of responsibility. LITs participate in team building activities and earn American Red Cross First Aid and CPR certification. It's the perfect way for teens to have fun while building character and preparing for their future.
We understand that parents lead busy lives and may not always have the time to exercise or participate in YMCA activities on their own. That's why we offer free child watch for Y family members with children between the ages of 8 weeks and 12 years old. This allows parents to take advantage of the many resources and activities at the Y while their children are safely cared for by our trained staff. It's a win-win situation for both parents and children!
The Y is committed to providing a welcoming and supportive environment for children and their families. Our child care programs not only offer parents peace of mind but also give children the opportunity to learn, grow, and form lasting relationships. Whether it's all-day care, preschool, before and after school care, summer camps, or leadership programs, we are dedicated to serving our community and helping children thrive. To learn more about our child care programs and how we can support your family, visit our website or stop by one of our locations today.